1. Legionella & Mycoplasma
Dr.Qurat-Ul-Ain Senior Demonstrator Microbiology,KEMU, Lahore

38. Laboratory Diagnosis Specimens – throat swabs, respiratory secretions.
Microscopy –
Highly pleomorphic, varying from small spherical shapes to longer branching filaments.
2. Gram negative, but better stained with Giemsa,Dienes’ stain, crystal-fast violet, orcein or fluorochroming with nucleic acid stain as acredine orange

39. Laboratory Diagnosis Isolation of Mycoplasma (Culture) –
Semi solid enriched medium containing 20% horse or human serum, yeast extract & DNA. Penicillium & Thallium acetate are selective agents.
(serum – source of cholesterol & other lipids)
2. Incubate aerobically for days with 5–10% CO2 at 35-37°C. (temp range °C, parasites °C, saprophytes – lower temp)

41. Identification of Isolates
Growth Inhibition Test – inhibition of growth around discs impregnated with specific antisera.
Immunofluorescence on colonies transferred to glass slides.
Molecular diagnosis
PCR-based tests are being developed and these are expected to be the diagnostic test of choice in the future.
These should have good sensitivity and be specific

42. Identification of Isolates
Serological diagnosis
Specific tests – IF, HAI
2. Non specific serological tests – cold agglutination tests (Abs agglutinate human group O red cells at low temperature, 4C).
1:32 titer or above is significant.